(Photo above: An experienced long-distance hiker, Shane Von Schlemp traversed the entire Oregon Desert Trail in 2014. He will speak at ONDA on March 11.)
In the second installment of its new High Desert Lecture Series, the Oregon Natural Desert Association on Wednesday, March 11 will welcome an adventurer who last summer completed the entire 800-mile Oregon Desert Trail.
Lecture will held 7pm at ONDA’s Bend office, 50 NW Bond St. Suite 4 (across the lot from Strictly Organic) for Shane Von Schlemp and Through-Hiking the Oregon Desert Trail. The event is free.
Last summer, long-distance hiker ShaneVonSchlemp became one of the first to complete the new, roughly 800-mile Oregon Desert Trail. A project of ONDA, the trail winds from outside Bend through Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Steens Mountain Wilderness and the Owyhee Canyonlands to nearly the Idaho border.
The journey took Shane through red-rock canyons, over high alpine landscapes and across sagebrush plains. Shanewill share his 34 days on the trail, including the moments that made his heart soar and those that tested his spirit through what remains a wild, largely undiscovered part of Oregon. Read about his journey at: http://odt2014.wordpress.com/
After years of surveying and groundtruthing the route, ONDA made the Oregon Desert Trail guide, maps and GPS track data available to the public a year ago. The intent for the route is to offer hiking, biking and horseback riding opportunities for day jaunts as well as long-distance backpackers.
There will be time after the event to enjoy a beverage and chat with Shane. Space is limited. Please assist by signing up and guaranteeing your spot at oregondeserttrail.eventbrite.com. Doors will open at 6:30pm.
ONDA’s High Desert Lecture Series offers the chance to learn more about Oregon’s high desert from experts. The next talk is slated for April 7: Stu Garrett, co-founder of the local chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, will talk about high desert wildflowers, just in time for hiking season.
The Oregon Natural Desert Associationis a Bend-based nonprofit organization that has worked to protect, defend and restore Oregon’s high desert for more than 25 years. We’re actively working to protect stunning, ecologically significant areas in the Central Oregon Backcountry, John Day River Basin, Greater Hart-Sheldon Region and the Owyhee Canyonlands. Learn more at ONDA.org or about the event at ONDA.org/events.
